AU Women's Lacrosse Picked to Finish First in Preseason Coaches Poll

Feb. 14, 2008

WASHINGTON - The American University women's lacrosse team was chosen to finish first in the Patriot League Preseason poll as voted on by the head coaches, the conference announced today. The Eagles received six first place votes and 64 points to edge out last year's PL Champion, Holy Cross, who received six first place votes and 62 points.

Colgate earned the final two first place voted and tallied 45 points to finish third, while Lehigh finished fourth with 40 points. Navy, in its first season as a varsity member in lacrosse, tied Bucknell for fifth with 30 points and Lafayette received 23 points to round out the selections.

In the inaugural individual preseason awards, AU's Caitlin Bell was chosen to repeat as PL Defensive Player of the Year. The senior midfielder scored eight goals and added five assists in last year's 9-9 campaign that saw the Eagles advance to the conference championship. Inneke Carmola of Lehigh was chosen as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Carmola tallied 46 goals and added six assists for 52 total points in her freshman season.

The Eagles welcome back all but one starter from a year ago, including 2007 PL Offensive Player of the Year, Jackie Lane. American will open their 2008 schedule Saturday, Feb. 16 at Ohio State at 2:30 p.m. and will host Drexel in their home-opener on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 3:30 p.m.